Can opener



p 1941- J. F. SCHINDLER 2,255,944

CAN OPENER Filed April 25, 1940 Inventor Jase M E amk 51/ MJ/eyi .3. By 2mm A ttorneys Patented Sept. 16, 1941 CAN OPENER Joseph Frank Schindler, Omak, Wash.

Application April 25,

1 Claim.

The present invention relates to new and useful improvements in openers particularly for milk cans and has for its primary object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a device of this character which is adapted to be expeditiously mounted on the upper portion of a can and which includes means for forming two openings simultaneously in the top thereof.

Another very important object of the invention is to provide an opener of the aforementioned character which may be left in position on the can and which is adapted to close the openings therein.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a can opener of the character described which will be comparatively simple in construction, strong, durable, highly efficient and reliable in use, compact, attractive in appearance and which may be manufactured at low cost.

All of the foregoing and still further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing wherein likecharacters of reference designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure 1 is a view in side elevation of a milk can opener constructed in accordance with the present invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view, showing the device mounted on a can in which two openings have been punched.

Figure 4. is a perspective view of the device, showing the swinging punch bar in raised position.

Figure is a cross sectional view, taken substantially on the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Referring now to the drawing in detail, it will be seen that the embodiment of the invention which has been illustrated comprises a resilient clip I of suitable metal which is adapted to be removably mounted on the upper portion of a can, as at 2. The upper portion of the clip I has formed therein a groove or channel 3 which accommodates the usual bead 4 of the can 2. Further, the upper portion Oif the clip I is formed to provide an internal flange 5 which is adapted to rest on the top 6 of the can 2. Diverging guides I are provided on the ends of the clip I to facilitate placing said clip in position on the can 2.

Mounted on the back of the clip I and rising thereabove is a hinge eye 8. Mounted for swinging movement in a vertical plane on the 1940, Serial No. 331,677

hinge eye 8 is a bar 9. As illustrated to advantage in Fig. 5 of the drawing, the bar 9 is of arcuate cross section and mounted transversely therein, adjacent one end thereof, is a shaft III which is journaled in the hinge eye 8.

Formed at spaced points in the bar 9 are bosses or the like II. Projecting from the bosses II are integral punches I2 which are adapted to penetrate the top 6 of the can 2 for forming pouring and vent openings therein. Rising from the pivoted end of the bar 9 is a thumb piece I3 through the medium of which said bar may be swung upwardly for withdrawing the punches I2 from the openings in the can.

It is thought that the manner in which the device is used will be readily apparent from a consideration of the foregoing. Briefly, the clip I is mounted in position on the upper portion of the can 2. The bar 9 is then swung downwardly and suflicient pressure is applied thereto to drive the punches l2 through the top 6 of the can. Then, by simply pressing downwardly on the rear end portion of the bar 9, said bar 9 may be swung upwardly for withdrawing the punches I2 from the openings which have been formed in the can top, after which the milk or other liquid may be poured. The punches I2 may then be again engaged in the openings for closing said openings and again sealing the can. Of course, after 0 the can has been emptied, the device is removed therefrom for use on another can. When the bar 9 is in raised position, as seen in Fig. 4

of the drawing, the rear end portion thereof is adapted to rest against the adjacent portion of 35 the clip I. Also, the bar 9, being arcuate in cross section, receives the hinge eye 8 in such a manner that said bar is adapted to be swung downwardly to a position substantially parallel to the plane of the top 6 of the can, as seen in Fig. 3 of the drawing.

It is believed that the many advantages of a milk can opener constructed in accordance with the present invention will be readily understood and although a preferred embodiment of the device is as illustrated and described, it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to which will fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed is:

A milk can opener of the class described comprising a split, resilient clip adapted to be removably mounted on the upper portion of a 55 can, said clip having a channel therein for the reception of a head of the can, the clip further including an internal flange on its top engageable with the top of the can and still further including diverging guides on its ends for facilitating mounting said clip on the can, a hinge eye mounted on the periphery of the clip at an intermediate point and extending upwardly above said clip, a metallic bar of substantially arcuate cross section accommodating the hinge eye in its concave side, a transverse shaft mounted in the concave side of'said bar adjacent one end thereof and journaled in the hinge eye for pivotally mounting the bar on the clip, a thumb piece rising from the pivoted end of the bar, and integral punches projecting from the bar and adapted to penetrate the top of the can for forming spaced openings therein.

JOSEPH FRANK SCHINDLER. 

